The threat of severe weather will increase as summer approaches, but experts at the National Weather Service say technology is helping them get better at predicting when and where the storms will hit.Click here to watch the reportLast July, a microburst brought winds of at least 90 mph to the town of York. The powerful storm knocked down dozens of trees and power lines."It was very fast. We heard some of the wind coming up. We thought it was raining wind and then a huge crash," said Joan Williamson, whose home was damaged by the storm.Meteorologists at the National Weather Service are constantly working to make sure people are prepared for severe storms."In the case of strong winds like we had in York County, the biggest threat was falling trees. So again, the basement is probably a good place to be. So the more time we can give them to get to that safe place, the greater chances they will be there and be safe," NWS morning coordination meteorologist John Jensenius said.Weather balloons are one of the most important tools the National Weather Service uses for forecasting. Hundreds of balloons at locations across the world are released at the same time to give forecasters a 3D snapshot of the atmosphere."Our technology does give us a lot of information about the storms. We can see air movements within the storms. We can see where the heaviest precipitation is. We can potentially see where the largest tailwinds in the storm," Jensenius said.Advancement in radar technology and lightning detection has also helped save lives.Over the past several decades there has been a significant decline in deaths caused by severe weather events.No one was injured in the York microburst.

GRAY, Maine —

The threat of severe weather will increase as summer approaches, but experts at the National Weather Service say technology is helping them get better at predicting when and where the storms will hit.

Last July, a microburst brought winds of at least 90 mph to the town of York. The powerful storm knocked down dozens of trees and power lines.

"It was very fast. We heard some of the wind coming up. We thought it was raining wind and then a huge crash," said Joan Williamson, whose home was damaged by the storm.

Meteorologists at the National Weather Service are constantly working to make sure people are prepared for severe storms.

"In the case of strong winds like we had in York County, the biggest threat was falling trees. So again, the basement is probably a good place to be. So the more time we can give them to get to that safe place, the greater chances they will be there and be safe," NWS morning coordination meteorologist John Jensenius said.

Weather balloons are one of the most important tools the National Weather Service uses for forecasting. Hundreds of balloons at locations across the world are released at the same time to give forecasters a 3D snapshot of the atmosphere.

"Our technology does give us a lot of information about the storms. We can see air movements within the storms. We can see where the heaviest precipitation is. We can potentially see where the largest tailwinds in the storm," Jensenius said.

Advancement in radar technology and lightning detection has also helped save lives.

Over the past several decades there has been a significant decline in deaths caused by severe weather events.